Unit MOLECULAR AND CELLULARBASESOF LIFE

BIOCHEMISTRY

Code	GP005095
Location	FOLIGNO
CFU	2
Teacher	Sandra Buratta
Teachers	Sandra Buratta
Hours	30 ore - Sandra Buratta
Learning activities	Base
Area	Scienze biomediche
Academic discipline	BIO/10
Type of study-unit	Obbligatorio (Required)
Language of instruction	Italian language
Contents	To provide general knowledge of biochemistry for understanding structure and function of biological macromolecules, mechanisms of metabolic activity and their regulation. The main topics of the course are: structure anf functions of carbohydrates, lipids and proteins; trasporto dell’ossigeno; enzymes; metabolism of carbohydrates, lipids and proteins; ormons and signal transduction.
Reference texts	-Elementi di chimica e biochimica di Roberti Rita, Alunni Bistocchi Giovanni, edito da McGraw-Hill Companies - Chimica biochimica e biologia applicata di Massimo Stefani, Niccolò Taddei edito da Zanichelli
Educational objectives	The aim of the course is to provide the knowledge regarding the structure and functions of biological molecules, their metabolism including the relationship with regulatoty pathways and hormone production. In addition, particular attention will be focused to main diseases linked to biomolecules and their metabolism.
Prerequisites	Basic knowledge of organic chemistry
Teaching methods	Lectures will be made by using slides. Some lessons could be dedicated to revision and depth of issues also proposed by the students and that could involve students themselves.
Other information	Compulsory
Learning verification modality	The exam consists of a written examination with a multiple-choice test on biochemistry subjects (thirty questions ,about 60 minutes)
Extended program	Amino acids and proteins: classification and properties of amino acids; peptide bond; properties of proteins; structural organization of proteins (primary structure and various levels of structural organization); globular and fibrous proteins; hemoglobin and myoglobin. Carbohydrates: structures and properties of monosaccharides, disaccharides and polysaccharides. Lipids: structures and properties of fatty acids, triglycerides, phospholipids, glycolipids and cholesterol. Enzymes: enzymatic catalysis; active site; specificity; classification; kinetics of enzyme-catalysed reactions; Michaelis-Menten equation; regulation of enzymatic activity; co-enzymes; outline of clinical enzymology. Metabolism-Introduction: catabolism and anabolism; organization of metabolic pathways and their regulations. Tricarboxylic acid cycle: reactions, regulation and metabolic function. Mitochondrial bioenergetics: mitochondrial membranes structure; respiratory chain and oxidative phosphorylation. Metabolism of carbohydrates- an overview: carbohydrate digestion and absorption; metabolic fate of glucose-6-phosphate; glycolysis; gluconeogenesis; metabolism of glycogen; regulation of blood glucose levels. Metabolism of lipids- an overview : lipid digestion and absorption; lipoproteins; fatty acid metabolism; synthesis of ketone bodies and their utilization; metabolism of triglycerides; outline of cholesterol synthesis and its metabolic conversions. Metabolism of proteins and amino acids- an overview: nutritional value of proteins; essential and non-essential amino acids; protein digestion and absorption of amino acids; transamination and deamination reactions; urea cycle; metabolic fate of the carbon skeletons (gluco- and ketogenic amino acids). Regulation of cellular functions: general properties of hormones and outline of their mechanism of action; metabolic effects of insulin, glucagon and adrenaline. Biochemistry of tissues: An overview of metabolism of liver, muscle, connective tissue, bone and adipose tissue.

APPLIED BIOLOGY AND GENETICS

Code	GP005097
Location	FOLIGNO
CFU	2
Teacher	Cinzia Antognelli
Teachers	Cinzia Antognelli
Hours	30 ore - Cinzia Antognelli
Learning activities	Base
Area	Scienze biomediche
Academic discipline	BIO/13
Type of study-unit	Obbligatorio (Required)
Language of instruction	Italian.
Contents	Prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. Flow of genetic information within a biological system and its regulation. Cell cycle and its control. Mutations: types and causes. Reproduction of multicellular living organisms: meiosis and gametogenesis. Basic concepts of formal genetics. Basic concepts of medical genetics. Blood types.
Reference texts	R. Roberti, G. Alunni Bistocchi, C. Antognelli, VN Talesa - Biochimica e Biologia per le professioni sanitarie –McGrawHillP. Bonaldo, S. Suga, R. Pierantoni, P. Riva, M.G, Romanelli- Biologia e Genetica – EdiSES
Educational objectives	The aim of the course is the integrated study of the cell and living organisms, with emphasis on the mechanisms involved in: organelles biogenesis and cellular structures, cell-cell interactions, cell-extracellular matrix interactions, DNA duplication, transmission of the genetic information, gene expression, cell proliferation, general and human genetics. The ability to learn, relate and integrate one concept to another will be considered fundamental issues in order to facilitate the understanding of the disciplines provided in the subsequent years of the Degree Course.
Prerequisites	Basics of chemistry.
Teaching methods	Face-to-face.
Learning verification modality	Written exam.
Extended program	The characteristics of living organisms. Biological macromolecules: proteins, lipids and glucides (general characteristics). Models of cellular organization: prokaryotes and eukaryotes. Viruses: general characteristics. Animal eukaryotic cell. Plasma membrane: structure and functions. The main mechanisms of membrane transport and cellular communication; cytoplasm; ribosomes; rough and smooth endoplasmic reticulum; Golgi apparatus; lysosomes; peroxisomes; mitochondria and the energy problem; cytoskeleton (general characteristics), nucleus and nucleolus. DNA and RNA: structure and function. Organization of chromatin, chromosomes. The eukaryotic gene. Gene expression: transcription, maturation of primary transcripts, genetic code, translation. Regulation of gene expression: general characteristics. Cell cycle: interphase, DNA replication, mitosis. Cell cycle control: check-point and CdK-cyclines. Proto-oncogenes, oncogenes and tumor suppressor. Gene mutations (point mutations, missense, nonsense, neutral mutations), genomic mutations (aneuploidy and polyploidy mutations) and chromosomal mutations (deletion, duplication, inversion, translocation). Human normal and pathological karyotype. Heterochromatinization of the X chromosome. Reproduction of multicellular organisms; meiosis and its biological meaning, gametogenesis (spermatogenesis and oogenesis). Basic concepts of formal genetics: allele, haploid and diploid organisms, genotype, phenotype, homozygous and heterozygous organisms, dominance, recessiveness, Mendel's laws and extensions to Mendelian analysis (incomplete dominance, codominance, multiple alleles). Basic concepts of medical genetics: family trees, dominant and recessive autosomal inheritance, sex-linked inheritance (X-linked and Y-linked). Multifactorial and polygenic inheritance. Mitochondrial inheritance. Blood types.

PHYSIC

Code	GP005096
Location	FOLIGNO
CFU	1
Teacher	Massimiliano Paolucci
Teachers	Massimiliano Paolucci
Hours	15 ore - Massimiliano Paolucci
Learning activities	Base
Area	Scienze propedeutiche
Academic discipline	FIS/07
Type of study-unit	Obbligatorio (Required)